The nationwide fuel scarcity
might get worse in two weeks, following the latest threat from depot owners.

On Tuesday, the Depot and
Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) gave the federal
government a 14-day ultimatum, to settle a N650billion debt allegedly owed its
members.

In a statement by its Executive
Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, the group said failure to meet the deadline will
force its members to disengage their workers.

“The unfortunate primary fallout
of this step is the likely shut down of all DAPPMAN depots nationwide due to
lack of manpower to operate same pending the time the federal government will
pay off its indebtedness to petroleum marketers.

“This unfortunately will have a
multiplier effect on the nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum
products which presently is still a struggle,” he said.

Adewole said that a letter was
written to the presidency on January 24, but government failed to respond to
the plight of petroleum marketers.

“We are continually under
pressure from our banks/AMCON, with looming threats of imminent take-over of
our petrol stations and tank farms.

“In the light of the above and
after exhausting all formal avenues to secure payment of these debts, we have
given government notice to the likelihood of disengaging our personnel.

“The unfortunate primary fallout
of this step is the likely shut down of all DAPPMAN depots nationwide due to
lack of manpower to operate same pending the time the government will pay off
its indebtedness to petroleum marketers.

“This unfortunately will have a
multiplier effect on the nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum
products which presently is still a struggle,” he added.